A Iaido Training Instructor Explains the Essentials of These Two Martial Arts

When talking about Iaido and Kendo, you need to understand that those are two very different things, and this article will try to help explain some of the major differences between the two.

Let’s begin with Iaido. It is the art of alertness that allows you to counter a surprising attack with a sword while sitting. The name means – “a way to harmonize oneself in action”. The most common exercises start and end with a sheathed weapon. From the drawing of the sword to the sheathing, the iaidoka has to perform a series of cuts and thrusts before wiping the blade and sheathing it again. The series of moves like that are called “kata”. They are performed mostly solo but are meant to protect you against multiple opponents at a time. Unlike kendo, where you can spar with a partner, iaido training is never practiced in a sparring manner.

What Are the Different Types of Martial Arts Taught at a Self Defense School?

Self defense, also referred to as martial arts, was originally taught for combat. The practice today is now commonly used for self protection, fitness, sports, mental development and building up confidence in a self defense school. There are different kinds of defensive practices to master, each one having different characteristics that set it apart from the others.

Iaido Etiquette

Iaido is a contemporary Japanese martial art practiced with two swords. The etiquette of this art is guided by the following principles: to prevent injury to the iaidoka (the one using the sword), to prevent damage to the sword, and to prevent injury to fellow practitioners or bystanders in the room.

Practitioners are expected to be dressed in traditional Japanese pleated pants called hakama, belt or sash, called obi, and a training uniform (keikogi). The uniform should cover as much of the neck as possible. Self control in language and action is expected from the practitioners. Losing one’s temper is absolutely forbidden and results in immediate expulsion

The organization is hierarchical. The greatest respect is paid to seniors and teachers, who are obliged to instruct students in all aspects of the martial art, including dress, conduct and techniques.

The etiquette of this Japanese martial art can be illustrated by the sequence of bows performed before and after training. At the beginning of each practice, the first bow is made in the direction of the Shinto or spirit alter (kamidata), the upper seat, which is a position of honor or respect (kamiza), and the Spiritual center (shinzen).

Traditionally, many Japanese martial arts have been guided by Buddhism, Shinto and ancestor worship. Since Iaido is a conservative art, it still honors these practices, even outside Japan. However, the degree of religious connotation of bowing to the Spiritual center varies. At the very least, the opening bow signifies respect for the practice, the practice space and an acknowledgment of teachers. After that, students and teacher bow to each other to show their mutual respect. Finally, practitioners bow to their swords, before the beginning of practice. After the practice is over, the bowing ritual is performed in reverse: sword, teacher/student and shinzen.

Before and after practice, students bow to each other. This bow is an expression of mutual respect, but also shows that the students are prepared for partner practice, and are not taken unawares.

If you are in New York NY, and are interested in practicing this Japanese martial art, there is no better place for you to do this than Iaido Jiu Jitsu Kendo Club.

Time spent in kids karate lessons can be priceless

When the time comes to enlist your kid in sport activities, you should strongly consider karate as an excellent option. It will have a positive impact on your child’s skills, attitude and values. The continued practice of the art will develop your kid’s strength and flexibility, as well as their posture and coordination. It is also a know fact that karate increases one’s own discipline and self esteem.

Unlike other sports that are strongly competitive, kids karate activities are a great way to boost your child’s sense of self worth and confidence. In karate, one does not need to be the best or compare himself with others. It strives to improve personal capabilities to their best, without creating a loser complex. That will undoubtedly increase your child’s capability to face future challenges without problems.

How Jiu Jitsu was born?

Jiu Jitsu is a martial art that developed in Japan many years ago. Its founder is the military tactician Takenouchi Hisamori, a lord from Mimasaka Province. It began in 1532, during the Sengoku period of the Muromachi period. Its basic idea was to combine various close combat, Japanese martial arts to provide efficient leverage in situations where weapons are ineffective or the enemy is wearing armor.

What differs Japanese hand to hand combat from other martial arts, depending on striking techniques, is its focus on throwing, joint-locks, choking and immobilizing as a whole. Striking an armored warrior on the battlefield was obviously ineffective and for that reason, the focus was elsewhere.

Original forms of Jiu Jitsu taught counterattacking and parrying long weapons with the help of short ones, such as daggers and the like.

The main benefits of training

There are many psychical activities for people who want to develop their physical body. However, martial arts are so much more. Whatever your personal reasons might be, you should know the main idea behind practicing a martial art.

1. Discipline and Self Defense

Martial arts are not about promoting violence and provocation. As a matter of fact, they are meant for exactly the opposite. Most forms are designed for protection and defense. Inner peace and discipline is necessary to achieve mastery of any martial art, regardless of its specifications. A practitioner is required to learn movement patterns, terminology and rules of engagement. As you hone yourself in the ways of the martial art you have chosen, you will understand what power it gives you and what is its importance.

In karate, the progress and rank of a student is marked with a colored belt

The belt is called “obi” , its use began at the end of the 19th century when it was introduced by judo founder Jigoro Kano in Japan. Although it simply marks progress, the belt is treated with respect, because it shows the rank of the karate user (karateka) and that is something no one can take away from him. This is its true value and everyone, be it a student or master, treasures it with great care.

Every style has its own system for ranking students and each system has differences in the sequence of colors. However, most of them begin with white and end with black. Students begin their training with the lowest belt rank and that is usually white. Advancing through the colors indicates the honor and skill level of the student. Most of the systems mark progress by darkening the belt color. There are exceptions to everything in different belt systems, but the idea remains the same.